Question

Technological advances in the workplace can ____ or ____ employees in a particular _____ classification.

Answer 1

Technological advances can either empower or displace employees, with automation impacting low-skill jobs and enhancing productivity for high-skill jobs. Unions may have varying responses to new technology based on their ability to protect member jobs and wages. This dynamic contributes to wage inequality based on skill levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

Technological advances in the workplace can empower or displace employees in a particular job classification. For instance, automation can replace workers in roles that involve routine tasks, such as bookkeeping or clerical work. At the same time, these advances can increase the productivity of high-skill workers, like managers, who can utilize technology to handle a wider array of responsibilities more efficiently. Unions play a complex role in this dynamic, sometimes opposing new technology due to the potential loss of jobs but other times facilitating its introduction because of the protection and benefits they can negotiate for their members, particularly for those with higher skills and job market experience.

In cases where unionized workers believe that their union will safeguard their employment and wages, they may be more inclined to embrace new technologies. Conversely, nonunion workers often have greater concerns about job replacement by technology. Additionally, wage inequality can also be influenced by technological advancements, as they can act as substitutes for low-skill labor while complementing higher-skill labor, thus affecting their wages differently.

Answer 2

Technological advances in the workplace can have varying effects on employees based on their skill level and union status. High-skill workers may experience increased wages and job complementarity, while low-skill workers could be displaced due to automation. Unions play a role in negotiating these transitions, potentially providing greater job protection and advantages for unionized employees.

Step-by-step explanation:

Technological advances in the workplace can empower or displace employees in a particular job classification. Innovations in technology, particularly automation and information technologies, have had a significant impact on various job markets. For low-skill workers, technology can act as a substitute, leading to concerns about job losses, especially in roles prone to automation like bookkeeping and clerical work. Conversely, for high-skill workers, technology often serves as a complement, enhancing their ability to perform more complex tasks with increased efficiency.

Unions have a complex relationship with new technology. While there can be fears about new technology leading to a loss of jobs, there is also recognition that in some cases, such as with unionized workers who believe their union will negotiate on their behalf, technology can lead to increased productivity and job security for those with higher skills. Consequently, the effect of new technology on wages and employment can vary greatly, often benefiting those with high skills while disadvantaging low-skill laborers.

It is also noteworthy that union workers may sometimes be more open to new technology than nonunion workers. In the context of unions, there is typically a greater expectation that jobs and wages will be protected. Moreover, union workers often have access to better training and job market experience, positioning them to benefit more readily from technological advancements.